Before Sherlock Holmes had fans across the Jewish world, there was Max Spitzkopf, a brilliant, sharp-tongued detective whose adventures captivated Yiddish readers across Europe and the diaspora a century ago. Clever, curious, and fueled by intellect and chutzpah, Spitzkopf was a cultural phenomenon, until history pushed his stories to the margins.

Now, for the first time, one volume of these classic mysteries, Adventures of Max Spitzkopf: The Yiddish Sherlock Holmes, has been newly translated into English and brought thrillingly to life on stage at The Vilna.

Join acclaimed Yiddish stage actor Mikhl Yashinsky for a theatrical performance that revives this forgotten sleuth for a modern audience. Through humor, suspense, and rich cultural nuance, Yashinsky explores what a Yiddish detective can teach us about justice, morality, identity, and the enduring power of storytelling.

The evening is accompanied by live klezmer-inspired music from the Abigale Reisman Trio, creating an immersive journey into the smokey cafes and bustling streets of old-world Europe, where wit, courage, and sharp observation solve even the most confounding cases.

Following the performance, Lisa Newman, Director of Publications at the Yiddish Book Center and White Goat Press, will join us for a conversation about the performance and Q&A with the artists.

Presented in partnership with The Yiddish Book Center and White Goat Press.

Register here.